Centrifugal machine.



E'. E. OOOMBS.

GENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY11.1910

1,026,075. Y Patented May 14, 1912.

2 SHEBTS-SHEHTl 1.

we @im 'E'. E. COOMBS.

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE.

APPLIGATION FILED Mun, 1910,

1,026,075. r Pa1en1ed1v1ay14,1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z.'

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@Hoznm FRANK E. COOMBS, OF BROOKFIELD, VERMONT.

CENTBIFUGAL MACHINE.

Specification ot Letters Patent.

, Patented May 14, 1912.

applicati@ inea may 11, 1910. serial N0. 560,704.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that" I, FRANK E. CooMBs, a citizen of the United States,residing at Brookfield, in the county of \,Orange and State of Vermont,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in CentrifugalMachines, of which the following is a specification.

'means for feeding liquid to be purified in a circuit-ous course to andthrough said separator, means for removing gaseous and light impuritiesfrom the center of the body of liquid in said separator, and acontaining casing having means for progressively removing solidimpurities therein accumulating; all as morev fully hereinafter' setforth and as claimed.

In many arts it is necessary to purify a body of water or other liquidfrom impurities of both greater and less specific gravity and to do thiswithout altering the existing conditions of tem erature and ressure.With many such liquids it is desirable to perform the purification at arelatively high temperature to maintain fatty, WaXy and resinous bodiesin a more or less fluent state. Many such liquids further contain gaseseither in solution or in suspension, and it is desirable to be lable toremove these gases positively while at the same time it is frequentlydesirable that the conditions of pressure on the liquid shall not bechanged within the centrifugal to cause a difference in state of suchgas. For instance, in purifying cane juice and similar liquids, it isnow a common practice to heat'the liquid, with or without the additionof purifying bodies, such as lime under pressure, to a temperature aboveits normal boilin point. This superheating produces a desira leseparation of albumenoids and salts; a separation which is frequentlymore effective than one conducted under the ordinary pressure and at theordinary boiling point. But in so superheating a. liquid the' air andgases which are' present are caused to go into sclution and uponreleasing the pressure tl dissolved gas reappears in the form ofexcessively minute bubbles formed on Heating and suspended matter,buoying the same up and preventing a good gravital separation. If limedcane juice for instance be heated under pressure a few degrees above theboiling point, a very good separation of impurities is effected.` But onreleasing the pressure fromthis liquid, the impurities which shouldnormally settle are kept floating and suspended by minute bubbles ofadhering gas and it is ditlicult to secure settling and a clear liquidwithin the limits of the time which can be given in the necessarilyhurried operation of a su ar house. Instead of separating as a settlecomparatively dense magma, the fine particles ofimpurities float throuhout the solution. Furthermore, on

releasing the pressure on the liquid, its tem-v perature necessarilyfalls and oily, fatty and waxy bodies which are molten at the hightemperature tend to solidify and to adhere to .contacting floatingimpurities, from which they cannot thereafter be separated. Being oftenof light specific' gravity they also tend to buoy up the separatedsolids.

The separator of the present invention is particularly adapted to treatsugar liquids which have undergone a high temperature defecation of thistype, but -it may of course be employed for many otherliquids, as, forinstance, in clarifying carbonated beet juice, beer lees, liquidsresulting from the Solvay process, etc. Attempts have been made toseparate these liquids with rotors having peripheral discharge openingsof small area with the idea of accumulating the solids at the peripheryof the rotor in such a condition as to form slowly escaping plugs. Butas the solid matters contained in these Isolids aretall degrees offineness, some portions be-` ing relatively coarse while other portionsare relatively fine, it is difficult to secure a good adjustment inmachines of this type.

In the present invention therefore, in the rotor proper I provide agreat extent of freely` open exitpassages at the periphery, suchpassages being amply wide for the escape of coarse particlesperipherally separated, while I surround the rotor with an' inclosingbody of liquid contained in a stationary member or stator wherein alllthe heavy solids are obtained as a homogeneous magma. Under theseconditions the solids cannot form a plug within the escape openings ofthe rotor and exist at this point in a freely fluent state susceptibleof movement from either receptacle into the other. The

' rater 'is @imprevista wat @b1-lautstark@ escape of solid orflnent'inatter of less specific gravity than the body of the liquidtreated, andof separated gases. duits lead from the .central spaces' ofthe rotor and open freelyv into ,separate andclosed non-rotatingreceptacles. The Y iinto cause .a moreL or less circuitous passage fthe' liquid theietreagh., vTinJ `rotor is situated@ das or more renewshafts, these shafts being sa arranged, as it form a lfeed' andan im@sae an of an aaO-i .ma 'an escape conduit'froni the other end of therotor.

The rbtfor is "abated ai, @Seaway @eine adapted. foi @aan we gof liquid,and fd, wiw-agva1eaeee @peni-ne a are penna. perseverare of aan andgases, and. with a alveare-.scape 'o' @mag at a lower point for thereinoval o separated solids Passing the hollow shaft is an escapeconduit for the separation of `light solidsl or liquids and gases, thisescape conduit ending in a. stationa chamber provided with a suitableweighted valve.

In the described structure it is obvious that'the liquid to be treatedmay be introduced at any desired temperature and pressure, treated underthat .temperature andpressure and removed without fall vof temperatureor pressure. Or the temperature and pressure may be increased or loweredto' any desired degree inthe passage of the liquid through theseparator. l

In the accompanying illustration I have shown more or lessdlagramm'atically one embodiment of vthe descrlbed invention;

In the drawings :--Figure 1 is a side elevation, partlyinsection of theentire apparatus; Fig. 2 isa cross section, on line A-B, of theYrevolving member or rotor and its inclos'ingshell; Fig-3 shows theinternal face and Fig. EL shows a cross section ofone of two 4similarlcones forming the exterior of thejrevolving member, and ya diaphragm ordiverter plate to beattached thereto; Fig. 4 shows the side and Fig. 4*.shows an end elevation of a central diaphragm and spacer-piece,separating the cones; and Fig. 5 is a detaillof the feed and Fig. 5a ofthe discharge headers. y a n v In the showing, element 1 is a stationaryshell, provided with an air-vent 2, a pressure-closed discharge. opening3, and axial bearings `4. Through these bearings pass hollow shafts 5and 6, seciired against leak- These conv age by lubricated packingglands 7. One end yof each shaft is secured to bosses of a rotary memberl8j. The projecting part of the shaft 5 terminates and is rotatablymounted in a glanded header 9, and the corresponding end ofthe shaft osimilarly terminatesin a header 10, and has means of imparting rotarymovement at 11, which may be a pulley or. .anypreferred motor.

t The rotary member 8 consists of two similar hollow cones 12 rigidlyjoined at the base to the spider-arms 13, of a central diaphi'agm 14,which may have any desired thickness `and thus act as a distance-piecebetween the cones, at the flanges 15. The cut-out portion 16 between thespider-arms thus provides a series of permanently'op'en slot-like portsoccupying most of the periphery of the rotor member and affording freecommunication between the lcontents of the rotor and the hollow space ofthe inclosing member 1. y

p The inner surface of the cones is formed with a pluralityof thin,radial, partitionlike. arms 17, with their ends attached to the innersurface of the cones, said arms being centrally perforated at 18, andrecessed asshown at 19, to receive circular plates 20. These plates havealso a central perforation and their surface, when assembled, is flushwith the internal faces of the arms 17.

Formed u on the central diaphragm 14, and perpen icular thereto, arethin radial arms or wings 21, registering with the arms 17, when theapparatus is assembled, to form a series of sector-like compartments,broken transversely into communicating chambers by diaphragm, 14, andythe circular plates 20. The diaphragm 14 has also a central openingalittle larger than the inside diameter of the hollow shafts, and thearms 21 have a centralopening 23, registering with the openings inmembers 17, and 20. Entering the central opening of the arms 17 at thepoint 18 is one end of a small tube, 25, extending thence axially withinthe hollow shaft 5, assingy through the chamber 26, in the hea er 9,through a packing ring 27, and terminating in the discharge opening 28.

Valved pipes 29, and 29a .either ofwhich may be used, provide for thefeeding of liquid to be treated into the apparatus. The opening which isnot in use for introducing liquid may of course be closed with athreaded plug (not shown) or it may bc usedl for the introduction ofdefecating chemicals such as lime or sulfur dioxid. Openings 28 and 31respectively provide for the exitof ases or like impurities and ofclarified liquid. Weighted valves 32 and 33 respectively close theseopenings.

In describing the operation of thisstructure it maybe assumed thatsuperheated defecated cane juice coming from a defecator under pressureis fed into either of the openings 29 or 29a. The entering .liquid atstarting the machine completely ls the spaces therein. Upon now puttingthe rotor into rotation the centrifugal actlo-n within the rotor and inthe whirling body of liquid in the stator produces a separation ofsolids at, to and past the periphery of the rotor..

The solids separated inthe rotor pass outwardly through the open portsinto the stator, forming an annular body which is peripherally compactedby the rotating body of liquid. Air and like Yimpurities separatingaccumulate at` the center of the apparatus. In starting, the exits 3,-30 and 31 are closed until the apparatus is filled, air being ventedthrough 2. Upon now putting the rotor into 4operation'the describedvseparation'takes place. As soon as the 1iq"l uid at vthe opening 31 isfound to be clar1- fied, liquid is allowed to escape at the open ings3() and 31 by suitably adjusting the valves, allowing a current ofliquid to flow into and through the apparatus from header 10.A Vhen theliquid escapingindicates turbidity it isl evident that a zone ofseparated solids has formed in stator 1, extending into the rotor andthat this zone is becoming l suitable adjustment of t unduly thick. Atthis point the weighte 'valve closing 3 is opened sutliciently to allowa portion of the accumulated ma ma to escape. With the escape ofmaterial om 3,

30er-id 31, the regular feed through opening.

29 begins, and by suitably adjusting the valves the operation may now'be made continuous. After startin lie Valves at 3,30 and 31, there willresult a unform flow of clarij- :fied liquid through 31 withsimultaneous separation of the solids and the like impurities. Afterhaving established this ba ance between the feed of foul liquid-'and thees-, cape of separated impurities, it is feasible to increase the speedof the apparatus to the maximum 'degree desired and concomitantlyincrease the area of'all the discharge open` ings to the limitcompatible with the rate .of rotation. The tendency of steam anddisengaged gases to form a body at the center of the ap aratus iscounteracted by the trapping o` of these substances through the tube 25and their discharge past Valve 30. Lighter liquids, such as oil, fat,and the like, which may Separate also escape through this tube, togetherwith the solids of low specie gravity, which latter if allowed toaccumulate would seriously cripple if not altogether prevent continuousaction.

Obviously, the machine may be kept un-v der any degree oflpressuredesired, such as the pressure under which-theliquid leaves, thedefecator. By performing the centrifuf 4 lating liquid.

the apparatus vand purities revents quick and good separation of the soids. When running normally with the 4present apparatus, t-he liquidpassing through the hollow shaft is discharged into the spaces betweenthe radial ribs, and liquids and solids How out radially together whileopening 18 provides for a central passage of gases or other lightmaterial. The rotating liquid thrown out radially returns `toward thecenter through the similar passages on fthe other side of the diaphragmand thence out through the hollow shaft. Passage of solids toward thecenter in following this backflow of the `liquid would be againstcentrifugal action and hence does not occur. The separated solidsescaping through the ports in the rotor accumulate against the stator toform an annular body kept smooth and homogeneous by the circu- Any gasor steam which might separate in the beginning and prevent thisformation of a ring of ma a or mud may be tapped ofl" through 2. he mudaccumulating as the annulus within the stator containssuilicientmoisture to make it fluent land flowable and it will Yreadilyescape through 3 past the weighted valve. The method of operation4 isexactly the samev with other liquids containing impurities of -variousspecific gravities.

What I claim is 1. A centrifugal machine comprising a rotor within astationary casing'adapted to contain a body of liquid and withstandinternal pressure, said rotor having peripheral passages, means forfeeding liquid vto be separated to the interior of the rotor, 'se aratelmeans for withdrawing clarified liquid and for withdrawing lightimpurities `from the interior 4of the rotor and valve-controlled meansfor withdrawing separated matter from the inner periphery of. thestationary casing. l.

2. A centrifugal machine comprising a rotor within a closed stationarycasing adapted to contain a body of liquid and withstand internalpressure 4and provided with an annular channel around the periphery ofsaid rotor, said rotor having peripheral passages communicating withsaid ,withdrawing light impurities vmoving solids, said rotor comprisingtwo hollow cones mounted base to base with intervening spacing meansproviding peripheral passages from their interior, means for feedingliquid to the interior of the rotor, means within the rotor forwithdrawing clarified liquid from the rotor and means for withdrawinglightimpurities therefrom.

V5. In a centrifugal machine, a rotor comprising two hollow conesmounted base' to base but spaced apart to leave free commu-- nicationwith their interior, an yinclosing stationary closed casing within whichsuch rotor is rotatably mounted,` a hollow shaft commuicating vwith onesuch cone and forming a supply conduit therefor, a hollow shaftcommunicating with the other -cone and forming an exit conduit;4valve=controlled exitmeans for such conduit, a conduit lo-f cated withinthe last-stated conduit and provided with valve-controlled exit meansfor light impurities, a'nd valve-controlled means for the exit ofseparated solids from such stationary casing.

6. In a centrifugal machine, a rotor comprising two hollow conesy spacedapart to form peripheral passages, an intervening diaphragm between thecone bases, an inclosing stationary closed casing .within which suchrotor is rotatably-'T mounted, a

'hollow shaft communicating with one such cone and forming a supplyconduit therefor, a hollow shaft communicating with the other cone andforming an exit conduit, valve-controlled exit means for such conduit, aconduit located within the last-stated conduit and provided withvalve-controlled exit means for light impurities, and valvecontrolledmeans for the exit' of separated solids from such stationary casing.

7. In a centrifugal machine, a rotor comi prising two hollow conesspaced apart to form peripheral passages, an intervening diaphragmbetween the cone bases, means for forming radial flow passages withinsuch rotor, an inclosing stationary closed casing within which suchrotor is rotatably mounted, a hollow shaft communicating with one suchcone and forming a supply conduit therefor, a hollow shaft communicatingwith the other cone. and forming ,an exit conduit, a conduit locatedwithin the last-stated conduit and provided with valve-controlled exitmeans for light limpurities and valve-controlled exit means for lightimpurities, and valve-controlled means for the exit of separated solidsfrom such stationary casing.l

8. A centrifugal'machine comprising a chambered rotary member havingpermanently open peripheral ports, a pair of hollow shafts communicatingwith the interior of said member, a stationary casing' inclosing therotary member and provided with pressure-controlled exit valve means, astationary valve-controlled inlet means for one such shaft, stationaryvalve-controlled liquid exit means for t-he other such shaft, asecondary conduit mounted within the other such shaft andvalve-controlled exit means for such secondary conduit.

9.vv In a centrifugal machine, a rotor provided with normally openperipheral ports, an inclosing casing adapted to withstand internalpressure and having a chamber surrounding the periphery of the rotorand. provided with a peripheral valve closed port, means for feedingmaterial to be separated within the rotor, a Vvalve controlled exitconduit communicating with the interior of the rotor near its axis forleading off clarified liquid, and a separate exit conduit communicatingwith the rotor to withdraw gaseous or other light'impurities.

' 10. In a centrifugal machine, a rotor provided with normally openperipheral ports,

an inclosing casing havlng a chamber surrounding the periphery of therotor and provided with a peripheral valve closed port, means forfeeding material to be separated within the rotor, a valve controlledexitfconduit communicating with the inte- .rior of the rotor near itsaxis, a separate exit conduit leading from the rotor interior forvwithdrawing gaseous or other light impurities, and baiie means withinsaid rotor between the inlet means for feeding materialv thereinto andsaid exit conduits.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in' the presence of twowitnesses.

FRANK E. COOMBS.

l`Witnessesz K. P. MoELRoY, H. SoHonN'rHAL.

